Anti-Government “Sovereign Citizen” Attacks Georgia Courthouse With Assault Rifle and Explosives
Today in Georgia’s Forsyth County, yet another far right “sovereign citizen” attempted to take over a courthouse with multiple explosive devices, weapons and a large amount of ammunition, wounding a deputy before he was killed in a shoot-out. The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reported minute by minute: Report: Forsyth Deputy Shot, Suspect Dead, Courthouse Evacuated.
A Forsyth County sheriff’s deputy has been shot in the leg at the courthouse in Cumming, and a suspect is reported dead. Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporters and photographers are on the way to the scene. Return to ajc.com for minute-by-minute updates on the situation.
12:46 p.m. - Forsyth Sheriff Duane Piper said the actions of the wounded deputy, who was working the doorway of the courthouse when he saw Dennis Marx drive up, likely saved many lives. “It would be a guess to think how many lives he saved had he not engaged him right there,” Piper said. “Mr. Marx’s intention was to get inside that front door and to take hostages.”
12:39 p.m. - Suspect Dennis Marx had not been living in his house for 10 days. Deputies are searching that house now for explosives and booby traps. Sheriff Duane Piper said Marx “was known to us before. Quite a few things are under investigation right now.” He said many of the explosives that Marx was carrying were homemade. “He had been planning it for a while,” Piper said.
12:36 p.m. - Piper said suspect Marx was armed with multiple explosives and lots of ammunition on himself and inside the car. He also had water, supplies and “zip-tie” restraining devices. “He came for the purpose of occupying the courthouse,” the sheriff said.
12:21 p.m. - A law enforcement official familiar with the situation said explosives are suspected because Marx is a “sovereign citizen” well-known to local authorities. They are concerned about explosives because sovereign citizens are known to be involved with explosives.
12:15 p.m. - The sheriff has confirmed to Channel 2 that the suspect is Dennis Marx. The station reports that Marx has identified himself as a sovereign citizen, part of an anti-govenment group that has been tied to violent attacks on law enforcement around the country. He was due in court today to plead out on drug and weapons charges.
(h/t: Schmendrick.)